Press to binder transfer system

ABSTRACT

A transfer system for transferring collated signatures from a continuously operating collating press to a synchronously operating binder wherein a transfer conveyor means transfers the collated signatures from the press to the binder and a divert system is provided for diverting signatures from the transfer conveyor means when the binder is shut down thereby enabling the press to continue to operate. A synchronizing system is provided for re-starting the binder and establishing synchronism with the press and the transfer conveyor without stopping either the press or the transfer conveyor.

' [451 Oct. 31, 1972 United States Patent Procter et al.

[54] PRESS TO BINDER TRANSFER RRX NH] 111 111 nn .9 WW "2 m mm flaw F w mmm m m: h 66m C nn e .1.1 i. .mhw nun KKO mm wa 3T 00 d 666 n 999 a n m 02 mu 1 mo Y x 154 E 79 y J3 W 261 am 257 mo ,9 n" 222 PA [57] ABSTRACT A transfer system for transferring collated signatures from a continuously operating collating press to a synchronously operating binder wherein a transfer Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio July 29, 1971 [22] Filed:

[21 Appl. No.: 167,275

conveyor means transfers the collated signatures from the press to the binder and a divert system is provided [52] US. R, 198/66 for diverting signatures from the transfer conveyor [51] Int. 19/00 means when the binder is shut down thereby enabling [58] Field of a the press to continue to operate. A synchronizing 1 8/ system is provided for re-starting the binder and establishing synchronism with the press and the [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS transfer conveyor without stopping either the press or the transfer conveyor.

2,895,148 7/1959 Hildmann 1 III R 7 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures aware PATENTEnncm I972 3. 701. 176

FIGZ

FIG. 3

/NVEA/70RS JAMES F: PROCTER H ENR Y R. M5506 ROBERT cf 0e YOUNG JOSEPH COV/ELLO ATTOPA/EKS PRESS TO BINDER TRANSFER SYSTEM This invention relatesto a transfer system for transferring signatures from a press to a binder and, more particularly, to a synchronously operating press-binder system in which provision is made for continuously operating the press both while the binder may be shut down and while the binder is being re-started and synchronized with the press.

It is an object of this invention to provide a transfer system for transferringcollated signatures from a continuously operating collating press to a synchronously operated binder wherein transfer conveyor means for transferring signatures from the press to the binder are provided with synchronizing means for operating the press, binder, and transfer conveyor means in synchronism and which further includes divert means for, diverting the signatures from the conveyor means upon stoppage of 'the binder together with means for automatically re-establishing synchronism of the binder with the system upon start-up of the binder.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a method of transferring collated signatures from a col- .lating press to a binder and which includes the steps of feeding signatures from the press to-a synchronously operating transfer means which continuously feeds signatures to the binder until it is desired to stop the binder, stopping the binder while continuing to operate the press to feed signatures to the transfer means, actuating a divert means to divert the signatures from the transfer means away from the binder, re-starting the binder,'and re-establishing synchronism of the binder with the press and transfer means while continuing to operate both the press and transfer means and upon reestablishing the synchronism, discontinuing the diverting of signatures from the transfer means and feeding the signatures into the binder.

Other objects and aspects of the invention will be more apparent upon a complete reading of the following description which, together with the attached drawings, discloses but a preferred form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein'like reference numerals indicate likeparts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a press to binder transfer system constructed in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the drive and synchronizing system for the transfer system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram of a portion of the synchronizing circuit.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings, a press to hinder transfer system constructed in accordance with this invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. This transfer system, which is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10, is adapted to be utilized in combination with a press 12 and a binder 14. The press 12, which is known per se, is a web-fed press that prints, folds, cuts and collates signatures to produce a completely assembled book except for the covers. The binder 14 is also conventional and is of the type which applies covers and binds the signatures.

As shown, the press 12 includes a press conveyor 16 which comprises a pair of conveyor chains, each having spaced lugs 18, with the chains being driven by suitable sprockets 20 on a shaft 22. The press conveyor 16 is driven synchronously by the press drive and is operative to deliver collated signatures schematically illustrated at S.

The binder 14 includes a binder infeed conveyor chain 24 which is driven in conventional manner by the binder drive.

Referring now to the transfer system, there is provided a raceway 30 which extends from the press conveyor 16 to the binder infeed conveyor 24. This raceway is generally U-shaped in cross-sectional configuration and has a slotted opening 32 in the bottom thereof through which the conveyor lugs, such as lugs '18 on the press conveyor 16, may extend. The raceway 30 provides a support and guide for the signatures S as they are being fed from the press to the binder.

The transfer system further includes-a transfer means which is operative to transfer the signatures from the press conveyor 16 to the binder infeed conveyor 24. As

shown, this transfer means comprises a pair of transfer chains 34, 36. The chain 34 includes lugs 38 and is positioned above the raceway 30 such that the lugs 38 are adapted to engage the signatures S delivered by the press conveyor 16 and advance them longitudinally of the raceway. The transfer chain 36, positioned between raceway 30, includes upstanding lugs 40 which project upwardly-through the slot 32 in the raceway and which are adapted to receive the signatures S as they are advanced by the chain 34 and advance those signatures along the raceway 30 to the infeed conveyor 24.

While a pair of transfer conveyors 34, 36 have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that a single conveyor chain, either above or below the raceway 30, could be utilized for the transfer means without departing from the principles of this invention.

The transfer conveyor system further includes a divert means for selectively diverting the flow of signatures away from the conveyor 24 and binder 14. This divert means includes a pair of divert fingers or deflectors 42 which are carried by a pivotable shaft 44. The divert fingers 42 are movable between an inoperative position beneath the raceway 30 and a divert or operative position'shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1 in which the fingers extend upwardly through the slot 32 and provide a ramp along which the signatures S are conveyed to a cooperating ramp 46. A suitable actuator 45 may be employed to control movement of fingers 42.

Adjacent to the upper end of the ramp 46 is a belt conveyor 48 which is adapted to receive the signatures and convey them to a suitable location for subsequent use.

A pick off or divert conveyor chain 50, having signature engaging lugs 52, is positioned above raceway 30 and is adapted to cooperate with the divert fingers 42 when they are in the elevated position to engage the signatures and advance them upwardly along the fingers onto the ramp 46 and, thence, to the conveyor 48. The pick off conveyor 50 is suitably driven by sprockets 54 on shafts 56, 58.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a schematic drive system for the transfer system FIG. 1 is illustrated. As shown, a press motor PM drives a press drive shaft 60. A gear 62 on that shaft is drivably connected to a gear 64 on a shaft 66. The shaft 66 also supports a sprocket 68 which drives the transfer conveyor chain 34. A further sprocket 70 on shaft is connected by a chain 72 to a shaft 74 for driving the transfer conveyor 36. The press drive shaft 60 further includes a gear 76 drivingly connected with a gear 78 supported on the shaft 56 of the pick off or bypass conveyor 50. The conveyor belt 48 may be driven directly and continuously by the press shaft 60 but, desirably, isadapted to be driven only when the divert mechanism is operative. To this end, a clutch80 is employed selectively to interconnect the conveyor belt drive shaft 82 with the press drive.

The binder drive comprises a binder motor BM and a binder drive shaft 84 which is operatively connected in conventional manner to the binder infeed conveyor 24 for synchronous operation.

It is contemplated that the press and binder will be operated as a synchronous unit. To this end, a pressbinder'clutch, schematically illustrated at 86, is provided to connect the press drive shaft 60 with the binder drive shaft 84 during synchronous operation. This clutch 86, which may be a conventional airoperated clutch, is selectively operated by a solenoid valve 88 only when the press and binder are operating in synchronism. With the clutch 86 engaged, the press, binder and the transfer conveyor system are locked together for synchronous operation.

One suitable means for establishing synchronous speed of the press, binder and transfer system is to utilize a conventional tachometer generator 89 associated with the press and which provides as an output, a signal indicative of the speed of the press. This signal may then be fed to a conventional motor speed controller 90 associated with the binder motor BM to control the speed of the binder motor. The combination of the tachometer generator 89 and the motor speed controller 90 is effective to assure the proper speed synchronization.

To establish the proper phase relationship between the binder and the transfer system, a cam and limit switch mechanism may be utilized. Thus, a limit switch, schematically indicated at 92, is secured for rotation to a shaft 94 which is driven from the binder drive shaft 84. Cooperating with the limit switch 92 is a cam 96 which has a single lobe or cam portion formed on the periphery thereof. The cam 96 is rotatably received over the shaft 94 and connected by gears 97, 98 to the shaft 66 for synchronous rotation with the press shaft 60. The circumferential distance around the cam as measured from the single high point or lobe on the cam corresponds to the spacing between adjacent pins or lugs on the transfer conveyor chains. The proper phase relationship between the binder, on the one hand, and the transfer system and press on the other hand is established when the limit switch 92 is positioned on the high point of the cam 96. Hence, during synchronous operation of the system, the limit switch 92 is on the high point of the cam 96. Hence, during synchronous operation of the system, the limit switch 92 is on the high point of the cam 96, thereby closing the switch and actuating the solenoid valve 88 to admit air pressure to the air operated clutch 86.

The operation of the system will now be described. Upon start-up, the clutch 86 is de-energized and the press and binder are individually driven by their respective motors. At this stage, the clutch 80 may be engaged and the divert fingers 42 actuated to their elevated-positions so that the output of the press is diverted to the conveyor belt 48. When it is desired to between the press and binder, a slight amount of relato a relationship in which the binder is operating at a speed slightly greater than the press speed. When this relationship has been established, the system is ready for synchronization and the operator may then actuate a system synch switch 100. Upon actuation of the switch- 100, the cam 96 and limit switch 92 become operative. Because of the slight differential in speed tive rotation between the cam 96 and the limit switch 92 occurs, thereby enabling the switch 92 to move circumferentia-lly of the cam 96 until it engages the high point or lobe of the cam. As noted above, the positioning of the limit switch-on the high point of the cam 96 corresponds to the proper phase relationship between the binder and transfer system, thus signalling that the system is in synchronization. The movement of the limit switch onto the high point of the cam 96 closes that switch and thereby completes the circuit to the solenoid valve 88 which, in turn, admits air pressure to the air-operated clutch 86. Actuation of the clutch 86 locks the drive shafts 60 and 84 together for synchronous operation. At the same time, by appropriate circuitry, the motor speed controller is switched to a torque follower condition, the divert fingers 42 are actuated to an inoperative position beneath the raceway 30 and the clutch 80 is disengaged to discontinue the drive of the conveyor belt 48. x

If, for any reason, the binder is stopped, the clutch 86 is released, thereby discontinuing synchronous operation between the press and binder. At the same time, the divert fingers 42 are actuated and the clutch 80 is engaged to actuate the conveyor belt 48, thereby enabling the press to continue to run with the bypass conveyor chain 50 cooperating with the divert fingers 42 to divert the press output to the conveyor belt 48. It is to be noted that with the binder stopped and the press continuing to run, there is relative rotation between the cam 96 and the limit switch 92. However, the limit switch is ineffective to energize the valve 88 as its passes over the high point of the cam 96 since the switch 100 is now in an open position. When it is desired to re-start the binder and re establish synchronism with the press and the transfer system, the binder motor is started and the above-described sequence is followed to establish both synchronous speed and phase relationships.

To avoid actuation of divert fingers 42 to their operative position while a book is passing over the fingers, a single lobe cam 106 and switch 102 are provided. The lobe on cam 106 is synchronized with lugs 40 such that it is operative to actuate switch 102 only when lugs 40 are spaced from the fingers 42. The switch 102 is connected through suitable circuitry to actuator 45 so that the actuator is operative only when switch 102 is energized. In a similar manner, the return of fingers 42 to their inoperative position while a book is being diverted along the fingers is prevented by the single lobe cam 108 and switch 104. The lobe on cam 108 is synchronized with lugs 52 such that it actuates switch 104 only when the lugs are clear of the fingers 42. Actuator 45 is connected to switch 104 by suitable circuitry which prevents actuator 45 from returning fin-,

gets 42 to this inoperative position except when switch 104 is actuated.

While the invention has been described with reference to a specific illustrated embodiment, it is not intended that either the embodiment illustrated or the terminology employed in describing it is to be limiting; rather it is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed l. A transfer system for transferring collated signatures from a press to a binder, said system comprising:

press conveyor means operatively connected to said press for delivering signatures from said press, binder conveyor means operatively connected to said binder for feeding signatures to said binder, transfer conveyor means for transferring signatures from said press conveyor means to said binder conveyor means,

first motor means for driving said press and second motor means for driving said binder,

drive means for operating said press, said binder and said conveyor means as a synchronous unit,

divert means for diverting signatures on said conveyor means away from said binder,

said drive means including means operative to interrupt said synchronous operation whereby said binder may be operated by said second motor independently of said press, means operative to actuate said divert means when said synchronous operation is interrupted, and

means for re-establishing the synchronous operation of said binder while said press is being driven by said first motor.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said transfer conveyor means is driven by said first motor when said synchronous operation is interrupted.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for reestablishing synchronous operation includes speed control means for controlling the speed relationship of said first and second motors.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said means for reestablishing synchronous operation further includes means for controlling the phase relationship of said conveyor means. i

5. A method of feeding signatures from a press to a' binder wherein transfer means is provided to receive signatures from the press and deliver the signatures to the binder, said method comprising the steps of operating the press, binder and transfer means in synchronism whereby signatures are continuously fed from the press to the binder until it is desired to stop the binder,

' stopping the binder while continuing to operate the press,

diverting the signatures delivered by the press away from the binder while the binder is stopped,

re-starting the binder,

re-establishing synchronism between the binder, the press and the transfer means while continuing to divert the signatures away from the binder,

discontinuing diverting the signatures away from the binder upon establishin synchronism, and operating the press, blIl er and transfer means as a 

1. A transfer system for transferring collated signatures from a press to a binder, said system comprising: press conveyor means operatively connected to said press for delivering signatures from said press, binder conveyor means operatively connected to said binder for feeding signatures to said binder, transfer conveyor means for transferring signatures from said press conveyor means to said binder conveyor means, first motor means for driving said press and second motor means for driving said binder, drive means for operating said press, said binder and said conveyor means as a synchronous unit, divert means for diverting signatures on said conveyor means away from said binder, said drive means including means operatiVe to interrupt said synchronous operation whereby said binder may be operated by said second motor independently of said press, means operative to actuate said divert means when said synchronous operation is interrupted, and means for re-establishing the synchronous operation of said binder while said press is being driven by said first motor.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein said transfer conveyor means is driven by said first motor when said synchronous operation is interrupted.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for re-establishing synchronous operation includes speed control means for controlling the speed relationship of said first and second motors.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein said means for re-establishing synchronous operation further includes means for controlling the phase relationship of said conveyor means.
 5. A method of feeding signatures from a press to a binder wherein transfer means is provided to receive signatures from the press and deliver the signatures to the binder, said method comprising the steps of operating the press, binder and transfer means in synchronism whereby signatures are continuously fed from the press to the binder until it is desired to stop the binder, stopping the binder while continuing to operate the press, diverting the signatures delivered by the press away from the binder while the binder is stopped, re-starting the binder, re-establishing synchronism between the binder, the press and the transfer means while continuing to divert the signatures away from the binder, discontinuing diverting the signatures away from the binder upon establishing synchronism, and operating the press, binder and transfer means as a synchronous unit while synchronously feeding signatures to the binder.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said transfer means is driven by said press when said binder is stopped.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the step of re-establishing synchronism includes the step of establishing synchronous speed between the binder and the press and synchronous phase relationship between the binder and the transfer means. 